Christmas baking, like the ugly sweater, is always a holiday favourite

CHRISTMAS IS QUICKLY APPROACHING and I am wondering where the time went. Our team has been busy creating dinners and lunches so far this holiday season. This week the focus will shift to smaller orders and a whole lot of baking!

Many people have such a busy schedule they aren’t able to find the time to bake. This year we made quarter-slab maple pecan Nanaimo bars, peppermint brownies and confetti peanut butter squares, to name a few. Perhaps not healthy but they are handmade with no preservatives and palm oils.

One of our most popular baking items has been the “Ugly Sweater” sugar cookie. The tradition of the ugly sweater is now a trend and a good way to laugh at the tackiness that Christmas can bring!

You never forget the love that goes into Christmas baking. I remember that people looked forward all year to the baking done by my mother and her friend

Sharon. The attention to detail and the careful thought behind their specialties showed the love towards their family and friends. I was so fortunate to have so many gracious hosts in my life. I will say that one year I snuck way too many cookies but Sharon never even said a word!

So for a few words of encouragement when trying to find the time to bake:

Pick a few treats that you know your family and friends enjoy.

Choose a base dough and flavour it different ways: brown butter, chocolate, orange, candy cane, maple. Many doughs can take on different flavours.

If you want to try a new recipe put it in your mind that you are trying the recipe but not relying on it to work.

If you are short on time, save the experimental recipes for when you’ve got time to spend. Also, choose from a reliable source. There are lots of “fails” on the Internet, so choose your source carefully.

Your time is valuable and your family and friends appreciate your efforts. The reason I know this is the reactions we receive in our store making our throwback squares – the stories of moms and grandma and the memories attached are priceless.

Thank you to Sharon and her family for creating wonderful memories as well as her yummy baking!

Happy holidays to you and your family from our work family at Never Enough Thyme.

Happy baking!

Sugar Cookie Dough

2-1/4 cups softened butter 3 cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs (room temp.) 1 Tbsp. vanilla 7-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 Tbsp. lemon zest Pinch of salt

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir the flour mix into the butter mix in three batches.

Divide dough into six discs, wrap in cellophane and refrigerate for at least a few hours before using. Also allow it to soften before rolling out.

Dust the counter with flour and roll dough out until it is about a quarterinch thick. If the dough cracks, push it back together.

Dip cookie cutter into a tiny bit of flour. Cut the desired shape out and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake in oven at 275 F until baked, but not too much colour – over-baking results in dry cookies.

Use your favourite icing and sprinkles to decorate. Perfect for the kids as an activity, as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Never Enough Thyme Catering Inc. was created with one thought in mind ... to create more thyme! Enjoy our food shop, specialty cakes and catering. 83A Arthur St. S., Elmira. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.